Chronic mouse model of TMA-induced contact hypersensitivity.

Abstract

Due to the steadily increasing incidence of atopic dermatitis (AD), especially in children, there is a high medical need for new therapies and improved animal models. In mice, trimellitic anhydride (TMA) is routinely used to trigger T-cell-dependent contact hypersensitivity (CHS) reactions. In this study, we compared the standard acute TMA-induced CHS in Balb/c mice with subacute and chronic models of TMA-induced ear inflammation. Compared to the acute model, the chronic CHS model more closely reflects characteristics of AD, such as typical morphological changes of the inflamed skin, strong infiltration with T cells, major histocompatibility complex II-positive cells, eosinophils, and mast cells, a T-helper cell-type (Th) 2 cytokine profile and a strong increase of serum IgE levels. Moreover, a strong lymph node involvement with T-helper cell dominance and a mixed Th1/Th2 T-cell differentiation and activation pattern was demonstrated. Importantly, as demonstrated by successful therapy with prednisolone, the chronic TMA-induced CHS model, in contrast to acute and subacute models, made prolonged therapeutic treatment of a pre-established skin inflammation possible. Altogether, we present an improved model of mouse T-cell-dependent skin inflammation for AD. We hope this model will enhance the predictive value of animal models for therapeutic treatment of atopic eczema.

• Authors: Claudia Schneider, Wolf-Dietrich F Döcke, Thomas M Zollner, Lars Röse
• Journal: The Journal of investigative dermatology (J Invest Dermatol) Vol. 129 Issue 4 Pg. 899-907 (Apr 2009) ISSN: 1523-1747 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18830270 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• Phthalic Anhydrides
• Immunoglobulin E
• trimellitic anhydride
• Prednisolone

Topics

• Animals
• Chronic Disease
• Cytokines (biosynthesis)
• Dermatitis, Contact (drug therapy, etiology, immunology, pathology)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Female
• Immunoglobulin E (blood)
• Lymph Nodes (immunology)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Phthalic Anhydrides (toxicity)
• Prednisolone (therapeutic use)
• Skin (immunology, pathology)
• T-Lymphocytes (immunology)